Saturday, January 28, 2012

Now, there's no confirmation that these are indeed what the "new" covers to the Players Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Monster Manual will look like. Indeed, it seems quite likely that they're just mockups, since the actual covers aren't ready to be shown yet. On the other hand, I can certainly imagine covers like this being used, since they very explicitly recall the originals while also being noticeably distinct. If they were the actual covers being used, I'd be quite content.

I'm with Chainsaw - I wasn't expecting a big investment in fancy art for the covers... I was expecting uninspired Reynolds artwork to (visually) play it safe, so if these come to pass, I think they do the job OK.

It's interesting that (if these are the real deal) they have visual elements immediately recognizable to customers of 1E/2E, and 3E customers, but they don't look like 4E covers at all.

I'm not well backgrounded in publishing or design, so I'm curious if anyone can speculate on the lower 'band'... is it a visual convention to signify 'limited edition' in some way? (The limited, US-only release already means these have more value as collectors items going forward, I would suspect.)

These are far better than I had dared to hope for. I was really expecting some over-the-top, superhero in fantasy gear images, so seeing these comes a a real relief. I'm disturbed that, as Kevin Brennan pointed out above, they left out "Advanced". I will be very disappointed if they don't correct that.

Sorry, I wasn't being clear. I don't mind something made out of a leather like material. I dislike photographs of leather, metal, jewels, etc. printed on a board, it is bad design. Think of an old microwave with the wood texture printed on it. There are amazing graphic designs that could be a part of the branding of these books ... but these are not them.

If the yellow strip across the bottom is indeed just a strip of paper that can be easily removed, I'll be a happy man indeed. Unlike a lot of people I loved the 'mystic tome' look of the 3rd ed rulebooks, even if I didn't like the rules all that much. Giving me that look while still staying respectful of the originals just makes me even more eager to own these!

Eh. Kinda ugly, imo. But I didn't care for the Original or Orange Spine covers of the DMG, PHB, and MM anyhow.(I do like the 70's style art inside, though!) Hardly matters, as they'll be a gift set for a friend who never had them bitd. As they're getting back into RPGs, this'll be an excellent present, along with Labyrinth Lord!(This way, I get to keep my two copies of the previously books! Win. Win.)

Honestly, though, I did expect to see srs weeaboo fytin'. Or at least Wayne Reynolds. But maybe he's resting in between working for Paizo, Green Ronin AND WOTC, where he's the 'official' artist for 4E.(And others no doubt!) :-)

The dropping of 'Advanced' is hardly surprising, as they did that back in 2000. Apparently the term went from being a positive in the 80's to a negative in the late 90's(At least in America, similar to the misunderstanding of 'Basic' bitd) Plus, this is for the collector's market, and this makes it distinct.

'Index'? Pfft. The whole point is to search the books and find hitherto unknown Nuggets of Awesomeness and Wonder. An Index would *totally* negate the Gygaxian vibe. ;-)

Upon re-reading my post, I can see where it looks like I could be implying that there *isn't* an Index(a notoriously *not* 'comprehensive' Index, in many fan circles), in addition to joking about the *idea* of consulting one while perusing Gygax's masterworks.(Which really ARE entertaining, if not enlightening, on occasion, if you randomly pick a section and start reading. No joke intended or implied on that one.) Thanks for pointing that out!

Interesting question and answer at 26:10 concerning the back catalog of D&D products (1E modules, Basic modules, etc.) and whether WoTC will make it available to fans in the future. "I believe we're sitting on a goldmine," the host says...and for the rest of the answer you'll have to watch the video..;P

Judging from the presentation at DXP, the covers will pretty much look like what is presented above.

"This is not the final look, there will still be a little bit of tinkering, and the ... you see along the bottom there, that's just going to be a band, a cardboard belly band, I guess that's what they call them. That can be removed after purchase." --Mike Mearls

Personally I'm just stoked that they're re-releasing the books in the first place. How long has it been since you've cracked open a brand new book to read G. Gygax's brand of prose? Remember the smell of the book? The feel of the pages?

It's been awhile for me and I for one am glad to get the opportunity to relive that small part of my past.

I wish they'd redraw the red dragon on the Monster Manual cover... it was always really goofy-looking-- I'll definitely say that about modern-style art, it makes more serious, threatening-looking monsters.

What's shocking to me is that this PHB mockup is almost identical to the mockup for the new Hackmaster PHB (posted on their website & available for pre-order since October, I think...). Biggest difference is that the HM book will be a real leather cover.

http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_94&products_id=779

And note the Hackmaster Hacklopedia of Beasts (their MM), available since last summer:

Follow Grognardia

Grognardia Games, Dwimmermount, the Grognardia logo, and the Dwimmermount logo are trademarks of James Maliszewski. Tékumel is a trademark of M.A.R. Barker and is used with permission of the Tékumel Foundation. For additional information, please visit www.tekumelfoundation.org